cuando
Lemma Details
Translation: when; whenever; while; as; if; since
Part of Speech: conjunction
Etymology: Cuando comes from Latin 'quando' meaning 'when, at what time'. This Latin term has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning as it evolved into Spanish. The English cognate would be found in words like 'quandary' (a state of uncertainty or perplexity), which derives from the same Latin root. The temporal aspect of 'cuando' has been preserved throughout its evolution from Latin to modern Spanish.
Commonality: 95%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Te llamaré cuando llegue a casa.
I'll call you when I get home.
Cuando era niño, vivía en Madrid.
When I was a child, I lived in Madrid.
Siempre sonríe cuando me ve.
She always smiles when she sees me.
¿Cuándo vas a venir?
When are you going to come?
Cuando quieras, podemos hablar.
Whenever you want, we can talk.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'cuando' as asking 'when do?' to remember its meaning of 'when'
- The 'cu' in 'cuando' can remind you of 'cue' - a signal for when to do something
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
Cuando is one of the most fundamental conjunctions in Spanish, used in everyday speech and writing. It's one of the first conjunctions learned by Spanish students and is essential for constructing temporal relationships in sentences.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'cuando' is a conjunction meaning 'when', 'cuándo' (with an accent) is an interrogative adverb used in questions meaning 'when?'
Notes: The accent mark in Spanish often indicates emphasis, which is natural in questions.
Mnemonic: The accent in 'cuándo' raises the tone like raising your voice when asking a question.
Explanation: 'Cuando' refers to time (when), while 'cuanto' refers to quantity (how much/many).
This word:
Iré cuando pueda.
I'll go when I can.
Confused word:
Dame cuanto puedas.
Give me as much as you can.
Notes: Both words are frequently used in Spanish and can appear in similar sentence structures.
Mnemonic: 'Cuanto' has an 'o' at the end like 'amount' to remind you it's about quantity.